Vending machine



Get. 26 1926.

D. J. BUTTERFIELID IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

D. J. BUTTERF'IE LD VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 9,

1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Oct. 26 1926.

Oct. 26 ,1926. 4, 1,604,804

D. .u. BUTTERFEELD VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 9, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 5IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL J. BUTTEBFIELD, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

VENDING MACHINE.

Application filed February 9, 1926. Serial No. 87,118.

This invention relates to vending machines.

The object of my invention is the production of a simple and efficientmechanism for the vending of goodsor merchandlsc such as chewing gum.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a simple andefficient co1n c ontrolled vending mechanism, whereby a slngle stick ora plurality of sticks of gum may be vended or discharged" at the sametune.

With the foregoing and other obJects 1n view, my invention comprisescertain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts aswill be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings: k

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mechanism constructed in accordancewith the present invention.

Figure 2 is a long1tud1na1, 'vert1cal sectional view of a vendingcontalner or casing and my mechanism therein.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the main frame of my vendingmechanism.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the primary sliding device.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the auxiliary sliding device.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View taken on line 66, Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a. transverse sectional view 1 taken on line 7-7, Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the coin chutes andthe means for closing the coin slot and the chute.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates the vending machinecontainer or casing, in which is positioned my gum vending machinemechanism.

This gum vending machine mechanism comprises a main frame 2 (Fig. 3), aprimary sliding device 3 (Fig. 4) and an aux- .iliary sliding device 4(Fig. 5).

The main frame 2 includes a bed plate 5 which has at its sides guideflanges 6-6. In the frame 2 is an elongated discharge opening 7. at itscenter to form a holding and guiding channel 8 for the purposehereinafter de scribed. The channel 8 has a closed end 9.-- The front 10of the frame 2 has a cut away portion 11. I

The primary sliding device 3 includes a rceiver; these apertures 21 and22 movement of the The bed plate 5 is depressed gum holder 12, at oneend, and extending from the gum holder are runner sides 13, 13, whichsides are normally under the guide flanges 6, Connecting the sides 13 isa bridging cross bar 14, and extending from the center of cross bar 14is neck 15. Secured to the outer end of neck 15 is a depending coinreceiver 16; this receiver 16 is slotted, at 17, to receive a nickelthat is directed into the same through coin chute 18. In the coinreceiver 16 is a guard latch 19, which is pivotally mounted, at 20. Anaperture 21 (Fig. 6) is formed in the inner portion of coin receiver 16,and an aperture 22 is formed in the outer portion of said register, soas to receive the plunger rod 23 of the plunger device 24 (Fig. 2). Whena coin A ig. 6) is in the slot 17 of coin receiver 16, it rests upon thebracket shelf 25, holding the latch 19 in front of the aperture 21, thuspermitting the inner end of plunger rod 23 to engage the latch and causeinward bodily primary sliding device, when pressure is exerted upon head26 of said plunger device 24.

The plunger device 24 comprises a casing 27 suitably fastened to thefront of casing 1, and slidably mounted on the outer end of casing 27 ishead 26. The outer end of plunger rod 24 is fastened to the outer end ofhead 26 and around this rod is coil spring 28. When thehead 26 ispressed inwardly and released by the operator, spring 28 will return itto its normal extended position,

as shown in Figure 2. The plunger device, through the medium of the rod23 operates the primary and auxiliary sliding devices 3 and 4,ras willbe fully described.

Extending from the gum holder 12 is a cut-off apron 29, which apron isadapted to pass under the lower end of the stick gum holder 30, closingportion of gum is being discharged. This gum holder 30 includes chutesections 31 that are fastened in any ordinary manner to the casing 1,

The auxiliary sliding device 4 comprises a pusher plate 32 that has apusher end 33. This plate 32 is secured to the top of coin and springreceiver 34. The receiver 34 is closed at its outer end and open at itsinner end (Figs. 2 and 5). In the outer end of receiver 34 is anaperture 35, which aperture registers with apertures 21 and 22, in allof which apertures the said end while. a certain plunger rod 23 may bepositioned. Pivoted at 36, on receiver 34, is a guard latch 19 that isadapted to be held by coin B dotted lines Fig. 7) over aperture 35, so tat when a penny, as at B, is deposited, the auxiliary sliding device canbe operated by the plunger device for discharging a single stick of gumthrough discharge opening 7 into the delivery chute 37 of the casing 1(Fig. 2). The chute 38 is the penny chute, and each chute l8 and 38 isprovided with a coin slot 39, through which 'a coin is passed when thepurchaser desires to receive the gum or other article that is being vened by my apparatus. Y

Under the bracket shelf is a hinged bottom 40, which is held in a closedposition by lock 41, which lock is controlled by a key 42. v

I have provided coin chute closing means for preventing coins beingplaced in the chute when the machine is empt This means includes theplacing inthe c ute sections 31 of triggers 43, which are pivotallymounted at 44, and extending outwardly from these triggers 43 are arms45. In each coin chute 18 and 38, is a slidable plate 46, which isadapted to move over the coin slot 39 to close the same when the gum hasbeen exhausted from the gum holder. This is accomplished by connectingthe fixed arms 47 r of plates 46withthe lever arms by means of links 48,so that when the gum is out, or exhausted from, the chute sections 31,

constituting the gum holder 30, the weight of the closing devices willbe such as to cause triggers 43 to extend into the gum chutes 31, asshown by dotted lines in Figure 2, with the closing plates 46down inline with coin slots 39, closing the same until a new supply of the gumis placed in the gum holder 30, whereupon the triggers 43 will bepressed back out of the path of downward movement of the sticks of gum,whereupon the plates 46 will be held up out of the way so that coins canbe passed into the coin chutes through the coin slots 39.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows: If a single stick of gumor other article is desired, this is purchased or secured by placing apenny in slot 39 whereupon it falls in the position B (Fig. 7), causingthe guard latch 19 of the auxiliary sliding device to move in front ofopening 35 whereupon the purchaser can cause the inner end of rod 23 tohit against said latch 19 and thereby slide inwardly plate 32 andreceiver 34, pushing, at end 33 of plate 32, a single stick of gum overthe discharge opening 7, where upon said stick will drop into thedelivery chute 37 and be secured by the purchaser. During thisoperation, coil spring 49 will be compressed, so that as soon aspressure is removed from head 26 of the plunger device 24, this spring49 will cause the auxiliary sliding device to move outward towards thefront of casing 1 into its non-discharging 0- sition; it will be notedthat the outer end of spring 49 bears against the outer end of recelver34, whereas its inner end bears against the closed end 9 of channel 8.

Upon a nickel being placed in the coin slot 39 of chute 18, it will passdownward there- 1n and take the position of A (Fig. 6), in the comreceiver 16, causing latch 19 thereof to move in front of aperture 21,whereupon rod 23 can engage the latch 19 and cause an inward slidingmovement, not only of the primary sliding device'3 but also theauxiliary Slldllli device 4, since the coin receiver 16 Wlll a utagainst the outer end of coin receiving device 34. Therefore, as foursticks of gum (Fig. 2) are in the gum holder 12, and one stick of gum isbeing operated upon by end 33-of plate 32, it will be seen that fivesticks of gum will be pushed from under the gum holder 30 and overdischarge opening 7 and thence dropped into the delivery chute 37 wherethe person placing the nickel in the machine can secure the five sticksof gum. Immediately upon the discharge of the five sticks and thereleasing of head 26 by the operator or purchaser, spring 49 will returnboth of the sliding devices 3 and 4 to their normal position, as shownin Figures land 2, ready for another operation, whether it be for thedischarge of a single stick or article or a plurality of sticks orarticles. The apron 29 slides under the gum holder, during the dischargeof five sticks and prevents any additional sticks from moving out of thegum holder until the gum holder.'12 is under the stick gum holder 30.

It will, therefore, be seen that I have provided sim le and efficientgum vending machine mec anism, which'comprises a casing, a frame in saidcasing, a primary and an auxiliary sliding device mounted on saidcasing, and a plunger device for operating one of said sliding devicesor both together for vending articles.

In both of the coin receivers 16 and 34 is a stop pin 50 against whichthe latches 19 strike, when pivoted by the coins; these pins 50 hold thelatchin proper position to cover the plunger rod receiving apertures, sothat' the inner end of the plunger rod strikes against the latches topermit pushing or shoving of the discharging sections 3 and 4. As soonas either discharge section has moved inwardly far enough to allow thecoin to clear the bracket shelf 25, the coin will then dro into the coinreceptacle 51, falling upon t e hinged bottom 40, and will be retainedin the coin receptacle until key 42 is inserted in the lock 41 by theowner or licensee of the vending machine.

While I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention andillustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, certain minor changesor alternations may appear to one'skilled in the art to which thisinvention relates during the extensive manufacture of the same, and I,therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations asshall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a casing,of a main frame in said casing,said main frame including guide flangesand a guiding channel and a discharge opening, a set of sliding deviceson said main frame and movably mounted within said guide flanges, eachsliding device provided with a coin receiver within said channel, saidsliding devices adapted to discharge goods through said dischargeopening of the main frame, and a plunger device operating upon coins insaid coin receivers of the sliding devices for sliding the slidingdevices upon the main frame for discharging goods or articles.

2. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a casing,of a main frame in said casing, said main frame including a bed plateprovided with a longitudinally extending guiding channel, said bed plateprovided at its sides with overhanging flanges, said main frame providedcontiguous to the bed plate and flanges with an elongated dischargeopening, and means slidably mounted under the flanges and in saidguiding channel for discharging articles through said discharge opening.of the main frame.

3. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a casing,of a main frame in said casing, a primary sliding device on said mainframe,an auxiliary sliding device within said primary sliding device andmounted on said main frame, said primary sliding device including anarticle holder, a cut-off apron, a cross bar and runner sides, a neckextending from said cross bar, a depending coin receiver secured to saidneck, said auxiliary sliding device comprising a pusher plate and a coinreceiver, said coin receivers of said silding devices in alignment, aspring within said main frame, and pressing against said auxiliarysliding device for holding both of said sliding devices in their normalinoperative position, and a plunger device adapted to extend into bothof said coin receivers and operate said sliding devices when a coin isin the coin receiver of one of the devices.

4. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a casing,of a primary and an auxiliary sliding device in said casing, saidprimary sliding device including article holding means and a cut-offapron, said primary device provided with a bridging cross bar and withan outwardly extending neck, a slotted and apertured coin receiversuspended from said neck, and manually operated means for actuatingseparately said auxiliary sliding device when a coin is therein, oractuating both said auxiliary and primary sliding devices when a coin isin said slotted and apertured coin receiver of the primary slidingdevice.

5. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a casing,of a main f 'ame in said casing, said main frame provided with parallelflanges, a plurality of discharge devices slidably mounted between saidflanges, and means on said casing for operating said discharge deviceswhen a coin is in one of said discharge devices.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

DANIEL J. BUTTERFIELD.

